Senate Bill 994 would ensure motorists control of their own data: Guest commentary

Most people don’t realize when they get in a car, they are really getting into a computer on wheels.

Today’s cars are loaded with technology called telematics that in many cases is advanced beyond monitoring the oil and gas. As a result of this growing technology, carmakers also have access to car location and driving habits. And they know key information about auto repair and maintenance diagnostics. This increased technology can benefit drivers in many ways; connected cars benefit consumers by improving safety, helping with traffic navigation, providing infotainment and lowering costs.

And this is just the beginning of telematics. Every major automaker is offering connected cars in the North America market. In 2014, one in every five new cars will be a connected car. By 2025, 100 percent of the new cars sold are expected to be connected. Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced plans for regulations that would require all cars to communicate with each other in an effort to avoid collisions.

The main policy challenge confronting our state and our nation regarding this new technology is the issue of consumer choice. How do we ensure consumers are in charge of the information from their own cars?

At the Automobile Club of Southern California, we believe that driving a connected car should be something that empowers the driver. Right now, while consumers can control their information on their computers, mobile phones and other personal electronic devices, there are no such rights for the consumer with their car. We believe this should change; and we believe consumers agree with us.

In fact, in September 2013, AAA surveyed its members and non-members about issues relating to car data. Some 79 percent of survey respondents agreed that consumers always should be able to decide if information generated about their car can be shared and with whom. And 85 percent agreed that there should be laws to protect consumers’ right to car information.

Simply put, everybody wins with consumer choice: it allows for competition and innovation and it gives consumers the choice of what services they want in their own car.

At the Automobile Club of Southern California, we believe in consumer choice when it comes to connected cars; and we believe the California legislature needs to establish some basic rules that will protect drivers and continue to encourage innovation now.

That’s why we are supporting SB 994 by Sen. Bill Monning. It will establish safeguards to ensure that consumers are clearly informed of the type of information their cars generate, store and transmit.

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It will also ensure consumers are given rights to choose who can access this information as well as rights to securely transmit this information from their cars to service providers of their choice.

For the consumer to enjoy and get the full benefits from a connected car and all of the innovations that will improve safety and convenience, there must be basic rules to protect consumers and ensure they control their information and have access to their cars’ data.

Californians need a balanced approach that provides consumer choice while continuing to spur competition and innovation in automotive services. SB 994 will do just that by requiring full disclosure to the car driver about the information collected and sent to the car marker; guaranteeing consumers full access to their car’s information; and empowering consumers by letting them choose who can have their car information.

At the Automobile Club of Southern California, we believe information is power. It is imperative that we put this power in the hands of the consumer and that we get it done right now. Let’s pass SB 994 and protect consumer choice.

Alice Bisno is senior vice president of the Automobile Club of Southern California.